One of the most promising and promising directions in the field of military technology is the creation of promising self-propelled mortar guns on car chassis. This technique enjoys a certain popularity in the international market, and new developments of this class should be offered to potential customers from foreign countries. The IDEX-2019 exhibition in the UAE has become another platform for advertising and promoting new products. Within the framework of this event, several countries at once presented their self-propelled samples, and some of the samples first came to a foreign exhibition.
Russian "flowers"
On the first day of the IDEX-2019 exhibition, the Russian research and production corporation Uralvagonzavod announced the start of promoting its new products on the international market. This year, for the first time on a foreign site, materials are presented on the projects of the self-propelled guns "Phlox" and "Drok", developed within the framework of the ROC "Sketch". With the help of this demonstration, it is planned to attract the attention of foreign countries and in the future to sign contracts for the sale of finished products.
Model of JSC "Flox" at IDEX-2019. Photo by NPK Uralvagonzavod
The 120-mm self-propelled gun 2S40 "Phlox" and the 82-mm self-propelled mortar 2S41 "Drok" are well known to Russian specialists and the public - these products have already been demonstrated at domestic exhibitions. Now you can get acquainted with them at the foreign exhibition site. Apparently, in the future, mock-ups and full-scale samples of new artillery systems will become permanent participants in foreign military-technical salons.
The Phlox self-propelled artillery gun is based on the Ural-VV armored vehicle with a stern cargo area. The vehicle is equipped with a special combat module with a 120-mm universal rifled gun. The gun was developed on the basis of the 2A80 product and combines the basic qualities of cannons, howitzers and mortars, which allows attacking various targets in different conditions using a wide range of ammunition. Ammunition includes 80 rounds - shells and mines with guidance systems and without them. "Phlox" is equipped with a developed fire control system, which ensures the determination of the coordinates of the CAO and the target, followed by the generation of data for firing.
Protection of the calculation and the main units is provided by booking of the 5th class, in some areas reinforced to the 6th. The use of a combat module with a machine gun and smoke grenade launchers is provided. For the first time in domestic practice, an artillery mount is equipped with an optical-electronic suppression system.
Prototype "Phlox". Photo by NPK Uralvagonzavod
Self-propelled mortar 2S41 "Drok" is built on the basis of the two-axle armored vehicle "Typhoon-VDV". Its passenger and cargo cabin is being converted into a fighting compartment with a gun turret. On the roof is a canopy with a gun mount that can accommodate an 82-mm breech-loading mortar. Directly on the tower are the means of setting a smoke screen, in front of it there is a combat module with a machine gun. During combat work, the crew of the vehicle remains inside the armored body and is protected from bullets and shrapnel.
The main method of operation of "Drok" is shooting from a tower mortar from a closed position. In this case, ammunition from the internal packing of the fighting compartment is consumed. If necessary, the mortar can be removed from the tower and used as a portable weapon. In this case, the self-propelled vehicle transports the base plate and the biped. However, shooting from under the armor has obvious advantages.
The development of projects "Phlox" and "Drok" is carried out in the interests of the armed forces of Russia. The 120-mm 2S40 self-propelled gun is intended for the ground forces, and the more compact and lighter 2S41 model is being created for the airborne troops. According to the latest news, both new models are being tested and will be able to enter service in the foreseeable future. At the beginning of the next decade, the delivery of the first production samples to the army is expected.
Model of mortar "Drok" at the exhibition. Photo by NPK Uralvagonzavod
The organization-developer intends to promote its new samples on the international market, for which it presented them at a foreign exhibition. So far, IDEX visitors were able to see only mock-ups of equipment and advertising materials, but in the future, approaches to promotion may change. If foreign countries show increased interest, "Drok" and "Phlox" may appear at exhibitions in the form of full-scale samples.
The real commercial prospects of the 2S40 and 2S41 self-propelled guns are not yet fully clear. Currently, there is a steady demand on the international market for artillery systems made on light armored automobile chassis. New Russian models correspond to this concept and, moreover, have a number of important features. Thus, one should expect that the foreign military will show interest in Russian developments, after which real contracts may appear. However, the struggle for a place in the market will not be easy. Phlox and Drok will face serious competition.
Georgian novelty
The current IDEX-2019 exhibition has become a platform for the first display of another sample of light self-propelled artillery. The Georgian scientific and technical center "Delta" presented its vision of the 120-mm self-propelled mortar. The new prototype is on display under the name Didgori Meomari 120 mm Mobile Mortar System - Didgori Meomari 120 mm mobile mortar system.
The only known photograph of a 2S41 mortar. Photo Sdelanounas.ru
The new Georgian model is built on the basis of the Didgori Meomari two-axle armored car. This car, in turn, is based on the units of the Ford F550 commercial vehicle. Meomari is a variant of the further development of the Didgori platform, which is well known to specialists and the public. Quite high driving characteristics are declared. The armor complies with the BR7 level of the European standard EN1063, providing protection against 7.62 mm bullets.
When rebuilt into a mortar carrier, the armored car undergoes significant changes affecting its stern part. Ammunition stowage is organized there, as well as an installation with weapons is mounted. The gun mount has a specific design and is completely located outside the protected volume. When shooting, the crew is also forced to remain unprotected.
In the rear of the hull of the base armored car, there is a hydraulically operated hinged frame carrying a rectangular base plate. On the latter is a 120-mm muzzle-loading mortar with a biped. In the stowed position, the mortar lies in the corresponding cutout of the hull, and the base plate covers it from the back. When converted to a battle plate and a biped are set on the ground, as a result of which the gun bears a great resemblance to portable mortars. Shooting is carried out only in the rear hemisphere.
Georgian self-propelled mortar Didgori Meomari 120 mm MMS. Photo Dambiev.livejournal.com
The crew of the Didgori Meomari 120 mm MMS self-propelled mortar consists of five people - two are responsible for moving, three are using a mortar. In terms of its fire characteristics and combat qualities, the vehicle does not differ from other models built using existing 120-mm mortars. In fact, we are talking only about a minor alteration of the towed mortar, providing for its installation on a self-propelled platform, and the automation of individual processes of preparation for firing.
The widespread use of ready-made components and the absence of overly complex elements allows STC "Delta" to count on certain commercial successes of its new project. A commercial chassis, complemented by a new armored hull and equipped with a familiar mortar design, can really interest potential customers. Poor countries should be considered as buyers of such equipment, wishing to maintain the combat capability of the army, but at the same time spend less money.
However, even such features of the project do not allow counting on a quick guaranteed commercial success. The Georgian self-propelled mortar will have to compete for contracts with other foreign developments. Perhaps the Georgian army will show interest in development from its own country, but in this case one cannot count on large orders.
World Trends
It should be noted that at the IDEX-2019 exhibition, in addition to the "Flox", "Drok" and "Didgori Meomari", other examples of self-propelled artillery of different classes are also demonstrated. Foreign countries presented a number of their developments in this area - mostly already well-known and participating in exhibitions not for the first time. This shows that the various manufacturers of combat vehicles understand and respond to market desires. As a result, a large number of self-propelled guns "for every taste" appear at exhibitions and in product catalogs. Naturally, they become rivals and competitors.
Spanish combat vehicle NTGS Alakran at one of the previous exhibitions. Photo Armyrecognition.com
The already well-known samples presented at IDEX-2019 demonstrate the main approaches to the creation of self-propelled guns, in particular mortars. For example, the Finnish company Patria once again showed a 120 mm NEMO self-propelled mortar, built on the basis of a wheeled armored personnel carrier. In general, such a project is in line with traditional concepts, but develops them using modern technologies and components.
The Spanish company NTGS has again presented its Alakran light self-propelled mortar. It is built on the basis of an off-road vehicle, on the cargo platform of which ammunition stowage and a special holding structure for a 120-mm mortar with a base plate are placed. From the point of view of the general concept, "Alakran" occupies the same niche as the Georgian 120 mm MMS, but it has some differences. In particular, the two vehicles differ in the design of the base chassis, protection indicators and weapons mounting systems.
A careful study of modern foreign projects of self-propelled artillery, including mortar systems, shows the main trends in the development of this area. It is not at all difficult to notice that the new projects of self-propelled guns from Russia and Georgia are fully consistent with current requirements and are able to ensure the rearmament of various armies.
This year, the Russian NPK Uralvagonzavod for the first time presented its combat vehicles 2S40 "Phlox" and 2S41 "Drok" at a foreign military-technical exhibition. This premiere is due to the desire of the development organization to bring new models to the international arms market. What will be the consequences of the current shows - it will be known later. New Russian models have every chance to enter foreign armies.
